Manchester United want a new defender. This much we do know.
Of the many, many reported candidates to strengthen their backline, it still seems – just about – that Toby Alderweireld is most likely to arrive at Old Trafford before the close of the transfer window. Out of favour at Tottenham for most of last season, Jose Mourinho is said to be keen to add the Belgian’s experience to his defence in time for the new campaign and has made him his number one priority.
This may, however, be about to change.
Speculation linking Harry Maguire, one of the stars of England’s run to a World Cup semi-final earlier this summer, with a move to United had appeared to die down in the last couple of weeks. Despite claims in the media that Maguire was ‘convinced’ he would seal a move to United this summer, Leicester appeared set to rebuff any advances for the centre-half, who only arrived at the King Power Stadium from Hull last summer.
Now though, Leicester may have relaxed their stance on the matter.
A report by The Times claims that The Foxes are expecting a late bid for Maguire from United, who they value at £65m. In preparation for this, they’ve agreed on a double deal for two new central defenders.
Freiburg’s Caglar Soyuncu, linked with Arsenal earlier this window, is poised to move to Leicester. A deal has also been agreed for Dynamo Zagreb’s Filip Benkovic. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why many are jumping to conclusions about what this might mean for Maguire’s future.
It’s now clear Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng, also said to have been under consideration by United, will not be moving to England. The Germany international has reportedly ruled himself out of a move to United after claims they had contacted the Bundesliga champions about his availability.
